Narrowing

the Development
Gap

Narrowing the
Development Gap

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and

Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG)

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), to be

established by 2015, is one of the main objectives of
the regions economic integration. As ASEAN works
towards the implementation of the AEC Blueprint,
there are many issues relating to the realisation of the
AEC that need to be considered. One key challenge is
to find a balance in terms of coherence and support
among the ASEAN Member States towards economic
integration.
Aiming at narrowing the development divide and
enhancing ASEANs competitiveness, the ASEAN
Leaders at their Summit in 2000 launched the Initiative
for ASEAN Integration (IAI) with the objectives of
narrowing the development gap and accelerating
economic integration in ASEAN.
The IAI is primarily directed towards the newer
members of ASEAN, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR,
Myanmar, and Viet Nam. However, it also encompasses
sub-regional groupings, such as the Greater Mekong,
Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia
Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA)
and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle
(IMT-GT). This will assist the relevant countries to
meet ASEAN-wide targets and commitments.
IAI Work Plan
Efforts to narrow the development gap have been
driven mainly by the IAI Work Plans. The first IAI Work
Plan (2002-2008), endorsed by the Leaders at the 8th
ASEAN Summit in 2002, had priorities addressing
infrastructure (transport and energy); human resource
development (public sector capacity building, labour
and employment, and higher education); information
and communication technologies (ICT); and, regional
economic integration (trade in goods and services,
customs, standards, and investments). Tourism and
poverty alleviation have also been included.

The second IAI Work Plan (2009-2015), endorsed

in 2009 at the 14th ASEAN Summit, is based on key
programme areas in the ASEAN Political-Security
Community Blueprint, ASEAN Economic Community
Blueprint and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
Blueprint.
Both the IAI Work Plans have been devoted largely to
soft infrastructure. However, development of physical
transport and communication infrastructure networks,
completion of the physical road, rail, air and sea
linkages within ASEAN are now key areas of focus.
IAI Task Force
The IAI Task Force is responsible for managing the IAI
Work Plan. Under the ASEAN Charter, the Task Force
now comprises the Permanent Representatives to
ASEAN in Jakarta.
IAI Development Cooperation Forum
To accelerate the pace of the implementation of IAI,
the IAI Development Cooperation Forum (IDCF) was
established to serve as the main venue for engaging
ASEANs Dialogue Partners and other donors in a
collective dialogue on the IAI Work Plan. Two IDCFs
have been organised, in 2002 and 2007 respectively,
with a third planned for 2010.
For more information:
IAI and NDG Division
Rony Soerakoesoemah (iai.asec@asean.org)